Skip to main content

Mako Shark

Mako Shark

The Mako Shark

The Shortfin Mako, shown here, is known to offshore anglers as, simply, “Mako.” The Longfin Mako, Isurus paucus, is less often caught. Both have a huge mouthful of bulging teeth that are long and pointed.The Makos are blue above and white below.

SIZE

Range is 200-600 pounds, but both species can weigh more than 1,000 pounds.World record 1,221 pounds; Florida record 911 pounds, 12 ounces

FOOD VALUE

Excellent; comparable to Swordfish.

GAME QUALITIES

Considered by many big-game anglers as deserving of rank among the big Billfishes.


TACKLE AND BAITS

Ocean trolling tackle, in at least the 30-pound line class. Usually will strike rigged baits, such as Mullet and Mackerel, or a live Bonito.




FISHING SYSTEMS

Trolling; Drift Fishing.

OTHER NAMES

Recommended


Bonito Shark Blue Pointer 

RANGE

All Florida coasts; most often seen in Southeast Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

HABITAT

The open sea. Shortfin Makos frequently cruise, and strike at, the surface, whereas the Longfin is almost entirely a deep dweller. 

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Gear

Best Features of the Shallow Sport X3

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Learn

How to Fix an Outboard Motor that was Submerged in Saltwater

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Store

Analyzing a Hurricane Damaged Boat for Restoration

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Store

How to Design & Build a Custom Dash Panel for a Boat

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Sportfish

Catching Tarpon in the Florida Keys: A Multi-Decade Obsession

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Store

Todd Flis' Ultimate Aluminum Custom Skiff | One Man's Dreamboat

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Store

How to Change the Look of Your Boat with Three Custom Upgrades

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Store

Reassembling a Yamaha F300 After a Fresh Paint Job

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Store

Allan Black's 25 Bostom Whaler Outrage | One Man's Dreamboat

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Learn

How to Repaint an Outboard Engine to Look Brand New

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Store

Faux Wood HydraStepp Splash Finale

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Learn

Crocodile Spotted off Popular South Florida Fishing Pier

Florida Sportsman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

Preview This Month's Issue

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Florida Sportsman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Florida Sportsman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Florida Sportsman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now